The Death of Delia Abbott: What's Wrong With 'The Young and the Restless'?

Y&R has featured memorable performances from
Sophie Pollono (Delia) and Billy Miller (Billy).

I've avoided writing about the death of Cordelia "Delia" Katherine Valentine Abbott on The Young and the Restless because it has been hard to watch and process. For me, we can debate whether soaps (or TV shows in general) should kill off children or not, but that's not my biggest beef with this decision. There are examples from soap history where a child died and a story was powerful and memorable and had a lasting impact (Maxie getting BJ's heart on General Hospital comes to mind). That's what I want to see on my stories. My biggest complaint with Y&R right now is that the Delia story is just another example of how bad the top-rated daytime drama has become of late. And based on recent history, there's no reason to believe the Delia storyline will end up any different than the other fizzled plots in Genoa City this year. If you can't write a proper sendoff for the great Katherine Chancellor (played by the late Jeanne Cooper) that lasts months and impacts the entire canvas, what can you do?

In the last decade on daytime soap operas, many of the story decisions have seemed more about event-based drama rather than a true attempt to tell a long-term story in a way that only this genre can. That may be one of the issues. Since the 1980s daytime execs have stopped appreciating what makes a five-day-a-week drama special and have tried various approaches to become more like nighttime, such as CGI, blowing things up, shooting outdoors and on location, and even becoming more episodic in some cases (also known as "Pulling a Chris Goutman"). Not all of these things are bad, it's just taken daytime drama away from being a writers medium to a writing-by-committee medium. And, sadly, that committee is usually not one that appreciates the genre or even the history of the show they are working on at the moment.

Specifically about The Young and the Restless in 2013, here are my observations:
* Genoa City is quite a depressing place. Viewers were still dealing with the fact that Kay Chancellor had died, even if the writers had forgotten, when Carmine was killed. Now Delia has been mowed down by someone's car, probably Adam's, although I'm hoping for a surprise twist. Carmine's death was a waste because the character could have been a next great town playboy. But even if the actor had to go for whatever reason, killing him off in a very self-contained story with Michael-Lauren-Fen just isolated them from the rest of the canvas. When someone dies on a soap and half the characters don't even know or care about him, the writers have failed.

* Many stories go nowhere, or nowhere fast. The Neil/Rose/Hilary/blogger storyline has gone on for months. Y&R cast a very appealing actress in Mishael Morgan to play Hilary but the story has gone on for months and months, dragging horribly at times, and has made me not care at all about the outcome. While Mason, the sexy Lamon Archey, being shirtless is always a treat, it really shouldn't be the main highlight of a story that has gone on for ages.

* Characters come and go so much, any momentum built is lost. The death of Katherine Chancellor should have put Jill (Jess Walton) front and center for the next year but instead she left the country to go on a scavenger hunt. With her granddaughter, Delia, now dead, will she finally return? Summer finding out Jack was her dad (but not really) was a big deal for a while but now she's all but disappeared. Devon inherited billions from Kay but he doesn't know what to do with it, and the writers don't seem very invested in him anyway. Then there's Traci (Beth Maitland), who came back to town and gave the show a much needed boost. We found out about her marital troubles, got invested in her again, and then she vanished. She wasn't even at Kay's funeral.

* The actors are bringing it. Jess Walton, Tracey Bregman, Melody Thomas Scott, Eric Braeden, Peter Bergman, Billy Miller, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Michael Muhney, Beth Maitland and the Y&R cast have taken some pretty bad writing in 2013 and spun it into gold, or at least something watchable on days when lesser actors would have made even the most loyal fans turn off their TVs off.

So far, Y&R has blown it big-time with the fallout of Katherine Chancellor's death: Jill is gone, Esther has disappeared, Cane has left Chancellor, Brock was barely seen, and Phillips III and IV weren't even brought back. Now Delia Abbott has been killed off and will likely be the cornea donor for Adam and Chelsea's baby (the second time in four years an Abbott grandchild has died ultimately saving a Newman). Will Jill and Esther be heavily involved in the fallout? How will they react to losing a grandchild so soon after losing Kay? As much as I don't like the choice to kill Delia, the story has the potential to impact Genoa City for years. But did Y&R need yet another depressing storyline to watch? Escapism via a TV show doesn't have to be sunshine and light all the time, but occasionally a little light doesn't hurt.

After just a few days we've already seen, as we've come to expect, amazing performances by this all-star cast. But it hit me today that this is the kind of thing I used to say a lot about As the World Turns or Guiding Light in their final years, especially ATWT. "I don't really like the story, or the setup, but man, the actors are going to win an Emmy!" As loyal as most of us are as viewers, and as much as we love our favorite daytime actors, it's the long-term stories that make the genre special and keep fans watching. Does CBS Daytime, Y&R executive producer Jill Farren Phelps or the writing staff really understand why fans fell in love with Y&R and took it to #1?

I would imagine Y&R will get a bump in the ratings for a couple of weeks because of the promotion and shock value of this story. But what is the long-term impact? When Kay died it became obvious how much heart was missing from a show that had killed off John Abbott, Liz Foster, Colleen Carlton, etc in the past several years. Which brings me to my original point. Y&R is being written like many a canceled soap from the past these days, living for the moment and trying to create momentary drama in order to sustain its ratings, with no regard to future consequences.

Don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for Y&R to succeed. But the last decade has chipped away at what made the show unique and special. Now it's an everyshow with scenes taking place in public park sets and houses that look like bad IKEA displays. And don't get me started on the Y&R score, the best in soap opera history, which has been replaced by muzak. New sets, new score, and feels like a totally new, but not improved show most days.

Brand new head writers are on the way. Can they make a difference? Possibly. But a writing-by-committee process is still in place with the Y&R writing team, CBS and Sony trying to agree on stories. Any change is likely only short-term.

What can we do as fans and lifelong viewers? It's hard to say. Even when a sharp new daytime executive comes along at CBS, the same exact people from canceled soaps get hired to write and produce Y&R. And we end up with the same results. Where is the next Bill Bell or Agnes Nixon? The next Douglas Marland or even Harding Lemay? And if they came along would they be allowed to tell the stories they wanted to tell?

All we can do is keep watching and hoping for the best. We've all seen our favorite daytime soaps go through ups and downs, peaks and valleys, and come out of it with new stories and stars and excitement. Even though these look like dark days for Y&R, you never know when magic will happen. The show is maintaining its ratings and is still on the air, one of four broadcast daytime soaps left, which gives us hope for a turnaround. Cross your fingers for that, and keep your tissues handy this week.

Take the We Love SoapsY&R survey below to help gauge how viewers are feeling about the show. We will take responses until midnight ET on Tuesday, October 22nd and publish the results on Wednesday, October 23rd.

Thank You.. Where was Paul's name?? Or did I miss it?? Paul, Michael & Billy's acting abilities are unbelievably great!!!

Adam.. I FF. Same for Tyler, Cane, etc..

I've cancelled Y&R from recording until a later date, D/T Delia's death. I can't watch, it's just too painful. So senseless.

I LOOVE Y&R.. Hopefully the writers can read the history and start to respect it. Y&R has the MOST talented Actors available anywhere on the screen.IMO.. ESP. .. Paul, Michael, Billy, Nikki, Victoria, Gloria, Jill, stc..Why Waste $$$$ on Pushing Newbies when you have the talent Y&R has on hand??? JMO

I too hate that the writers had a child die, too much gloom and doom. I have watched the show for over 30 yrs, I have liked the silly,or far-fetched and even the crazy love stories, the "take me away from stress" stories. However, this story-line is way too sad, and too realistic. Not necessary!! Not enjoyable to watch at this time. Losing a viewer....for now.

The little girl who portrayed Delia was the cutest little actor I've seen in a long time - too bad they had to kill her character off. Her death has had me crying for days as I watch the show - the actors on this show are just amazing!

I love this show I have been watching the Young and the Restless since I was a child. Now let me tell you Summer is not Jack's daughter, Nick is her dad. Delia was so precious I hate that she was killed off . . . I hope that Adam, confess to what happened with Delia death he did not even know he had hit Delia, he just saw the dog running and was trying not hit it......

I have watched this show for years and years and will not be watching it again....can't believe how awful the last week has been about Delia...I loved that little girl...always looked so forward to seeing her.....bad bad move Young and the Restless !!!!! I am so disappointed in this show !!!!!!!!

I hate the fact that Y&R has again killed off a child...Though I love this show for 30 years now..I've seen better writing..They really need better stories then this..Delia was such a aforable character to watch...I hope Y& R won't do this again anytime soon..thanks

Once a beacon on the horizon, “Y&R” is now a fast fading glamour girl of Hollywood, seeing its final scenes play out. Killing off Deliah, did me in, I am done with this show for now. Maybe if this was a dream sequence I would come back, but its not looking that way. Your article is well written and I think you hit all the hot topics spot on.

I watch Y&R for primarily two or three reasons--Lily Ashby and Cane Ashby, coupled with the superb acting of Christel, Daniel, Jess Walton and Peter Bergman. I didn't watch ABC Daytime; therefore TPTB of Y&R can accurately assume I don't give a flying fluck about Steve Burton or any other former ABC actor and the characters they portray who are now front and center on Y&R, along with a bunch of newbies (two years or less) OR Newman central! To rewrite (poorly I might add) Story to pimp these characters whilst failing to een attempt to write Story for Fan Favs is not working, and that includes prime pimping of JFP and Angelica McDaniel's fav toy boys!

There were several unnecessary recast and firings, like Abby, Kyle, and Tucker.

The African American characters are still stuck on an island all alone!!! Also, they are not on as much as the other characters and it's not fair. No one will EVER care about their storylines if they continue to be so separate from the rest of the canvas.

Certain characters and actors are being favored over veterans. Dylan comes to mind.

Lack luster pairings that need to be put out of there misery are still being pimped left and right. Lane comes to mind.

Sharon is still being RUINED!!! I'm not even a long time watcher and I can tell the character doesn't seem right.

Jill has more of a relationship with Lane, then she does her own child!!!

The Newmans SUCK!!!! The Abbotts are sacrificed at the altar. The ONLY Newman family members worth a damn are Noah, Summer (who should be an Abbott), Adam (and co.) and Nikki. We need to replenishing the Abbott family, NOT killing them off. WHERE IS KEEMO ABBOTT???!! How about bring him back BEFORE creating some never before heard of Abbott named Andrew.

Promising characters are thrown by the wayside because incompetent people THINK fans are idiots. I'm done!!!

Nk3play2, I totally agree with your comments. My family and are I are DONE with this show. The recasts sucked, the deaths keep mounting, the story lines are completely cut short or played out like the one with NEIL and that who cares Hillary lady, its just sad. And really writers you want us to think Devon would get 2 billion dollars, yeah sure when Nicki got, whatever it was, dishes or a music collection or who the heck cares anymore.

LoL I am actually happy for the character of Devon. HOWEVER, I am pissed that we've only seen him like twice since then. Why in the world would you something like that for the character and NOT capitalize on it immediately when everyone is still reacting to it.

I didn't realize how much I had really given up on the show until I voted on my favorite characters, which rounded out a whopping four. Jack, Jill, Noah, and Paul. And I added Delia and Faith to make six. Sad.

Delia's death was disturbing and completely unnecessary. Unlike many soap children, Delia actually added value and had a solid role in this show. What a shame. The actress -- I'm sorry I don't know here named -- knocked it out of the park on a regular basis, too! What a shame.

I can't believe they killed off Delia, and are framing Adam for her death. When will Y & R let Adam be happy. I love Adam and Chelsie together. She made Adam a different, stronger person. I find it disburbing that Y & R would kill off Delia, so Adam's child can see. Why not let Adam find the donor, and fly the family in town. Did Y & R consider what this will do to the Billy and Victoria storyline. victor wins again when Billy goes off the deep end. Why is Victor the winner all of the time. Is there anyne that can outsmart Victor? Not in Y & R land. I am sick of this story.

Ditto! Adam and Chelsie are my favorite story.....underdogs that found love and happiness. The writers have to destroy that and it pisses me off. I used to watch this show faithfully but not anymore. It would be nice to have seen some happiness for once instead of doom and gloom all of the time. I get that in my everyday life and liked to see couples in love and happy and people making mistakes and given 2nd chances etc. Very disappointed and very sad. This was my favorite show but will not be watching anymore. So to the Adam and Chesie characters if you see this........you are way better actors for this show... so get out while you can!

This story is so heartbreaking I can only watch little bits of it, and I am really upset with the writers--Delia deserved better. I am so angry with this storyline that I will not be watching any more. I have stuck around forever waiting for Sharon to go to jail for what she did to Nick and Phylllis, but even waiting to see her finally get hers is not enough incentive to keep me tuned in to a show that only broadcasts heartbreak. Hats off and good luck to the actors--they are going to need all the luck they can get with the crappy writers that they have now.

Setting up Adam as Deliahs accidental killer is utter nonsense. I think we have had enough of all this silliness and sorrow! I can't watch anymore. My beloved Sharon is nuts, the show just doesn't have the quality stories anymore. Its sad because the sets are really awesome these days!

Faith newmans mckenna grace dehlia abbot sophie pollno leslie michealson angell conwells neil winter kristoff st john my favorite cast member on the young and the restless dehlia abbott was a cute girl and it was really funny to watch dehlia get big trouble for stealing her friends doll from at her house when chloe her mother yelled at her about what she did behave

After today all i could think is "what's wrong with Y&R?"saw your headline. Spot on article! Thank you. One more comment, they DESTROYED Sharon. Over the last few years one of our all time fav characters was taken down. They must hate her.

Agree 150%/! I want Sharon back and I want her and Nick back together! But I'd like to see her get well first without him and then have him come begging for her back! Just a little girl solidarity payback--he screwed it up, he should have to earn it back! :-)

Hell no! Sharon has gotten away with everything in the last two years--get back with Nick....really? Why would he want someone who has burned down his parents' ranch, slept with nearly everyone with a pulse except her son, ran his family company into the ground, hid the fact that his presumed dead father was alive, committed bigamy within minutes of burying the presumed dead husband, and my personal favorite--nearly killing Phylis to prevent her from revealing that Sharon changed the paternity test making Nick, Summer, and Jack suffer for months. I know Nick is forgiving, but considering all that she has caused him to lose, I can not see him ever trusting her again. Phylis called it right when she called Sharon a demented B- - - -Crazy Sharon needs to be committed--I wouldn't trust my goldfish with her.

Hello...hair and make-up please......do something, anything with Victoria's hair. To me, a good story is when Jack, Adam and Victor go at it and set the stage for all others to involve themselves....Mrs. C's death was enough sadness for awhile. We all know that was reality, not just a story line. She was an awesome actor and we miss her on the Y&R....

Delia dying was too hard to watch. If you did have to have her get hit with a car, why not have Victor be the driver. Catherine's will was awful, Victor really, why did she like Victor yet hate her own son for doing what Victor did? She was a jerk to Ashley and Jack, and their father was a life long friend. Victor hates women who give up a child, did her not give up Adam? Poor Adam her hasn't done 1/2 as much crap as Victor.

There are two kids on the show!! That's it and now we're down to Faith. This Delia storyline is EXACTLY the same as what JFP did on GH when they killed Jake to save Jocelyn. A parent takes their eyes off their kid for one second--hit and run--kid is killed and the body parts go to one of the parents' best friend's kid. I hated it on GH where it had no payoff and I hate it even more now. I can't believe what this soap had turned into. Why do people keep hiring her?! She is a notorious soap killer!!

I totally agree, what is happening to Y&R it is going down the tube. You need to get rid of your writers and hire some new ones or bring back the old ones. The story lines for the last year have been terrible and they just keep dragging and dragging on bring them to an end and move on. Writing Delia off was a terrible thing ......... Get rid of JFP

I agree! Bring Delia back. Don't frame Adam for the accident. He did stop and look. He was trying not to hit the dog. Who saw a little kid in the road. He was driving a truck, Delia didn't come in to view. It's a Bad, Bad Dream. Wake up everyone. Kevin and Chloe are back together. Adam can have his son and family. A donor will be found for Baby Adam, lose the Connor name. MakeY & R the soap opera it was meant to be.

OMG! Yes.. I am sick of Sharon. What gives her the right to change everybody's life because she wants Nick back.Let Summer and Kyle get together, Nick and Avery, Sharon in a mental hospital, Phyllis and Jack. let move beyond this Sharon stuff. She burned down the house and got away with it. Nothing! We would have been in jail. Now she is changing DNA results. Come on, Y & R. Give me a break!

I like Avery but no, you can't shaft Sharon again and again for someone who is like a newbie in comparison. SC has been on the show for nearly 2 decades. Kill off or send Sharon away forever and believe it or not that's killing another piece of Y&R history we can't afford to lose!

Oh good it is not just me that is real tired of Sharon, how about if we finish a story line regarding how awful Sharon and let us not forget how terrible Victor can be and no justice for either of them and how they have ruin other lives.

This story did not have to happen. Shame on cbs/sony for allowing JFP to do this.What sickens me is that for the 2nd time in four years another Abbott has to die to save a Newman. First Colleen and now Delia. In this case, it appears that a Newman is directly responsible for the death of the child and his child will benefit from this.

Cannot BELIEVE they killed off Delia. That child was a wonderful little actress and really added to the show. Why do they kill off all the children? Cassie Newman, now Delia. This does not add up at all. They could have done things with Delia and her character. She and Billy were so much fun to watch together. What has happened to this show? And whomever plays the role of Kyle...awful.

Must completely agree they struck gold when they had Blake Hood as Kyle he looked liked his father and the real Diane (not Maura West lovely actress but she was NOT Diane) if they were to have a child. So many times they have these children who look completely foreign to the parents and their acting isn't saving grace either. Blake Hood was sexy, believable and was a great actor he was Jack's child through and through. This recast was their biggest mistake he is down right creepy and when he comes on my screen I start looking at the news on my phone so I don't have to look at him and he is way older than what Kyle was SORAS'd to. Him and Summer look wrong makes him look like a pedophile because he looks way beyond his years. Big mistake I wish to high heavens they either ask Blake Hood to comeback, get a better recast or drop him off the canvas until they can find a suitable replacement.

I agree! The chemistry between the two of them is very good. Dylan, ugh! Let them build their family back together. bring delia back, please. It has to happen soon. To much regret and loss on this one guys. Baby Adam, not Connor will see. look how many times Adam lost his sight and it's a miracle he found the solution to see. Let the baby see, and Adam getting back to kicking Victor's azz.

Adam and Chelsea could easily become the Genoa City super couple if we had decent writers and stories. Just when Adam was becoming likable, Victor (who is absolutely unredeemable) made him swallow the fish hook. I adore Chelsie, she's so much more enjoyable and well written on Y&R than happened on AMC when she was nuttier than a rum-soaked fruitcake. I want the death of Delia resolved and to live long enough to see Adam and Chelsea happily together.

Please, Please, Please! I agree with you. he finally has his son. Can you see how he looks at this baby. he loves him. This child can bring the Adam/Chelsea storyline back. It's a dream anyway...Adam did what????

Why couldn't they have had Victor Newman be the one to hit Delia. I hate this story but if they had to have it Victor might finally be brought to is knees. He is nothing but a bully. There is nothing about Victor that is kind.

Victor is controlling and downright mean. If anyone had to die for Connor's cornea transplant it should have been him. This only gives Victor more ammunition against Billy and that story line is getting very old. I fast forward through all Victor scenes except for the rare ones when someone is getting even.

I agree...i am hoping Adam didnt actually hit her somehow. Victor is downright hateful, toxic, mean and bullying. I fastforward thru his scenes these days. Good writing makes characters complex with good and bad...that character has completely lost that.

Don't watch it much anymore, I record it and zoom past about three fourths of it. Victor is a hateful jerk and most of the story lines go on forever. If it doesn't get better soon, I will not even bother to record it. I have watched the show since it first began.

She quit YR because of a prime time show she will be starring in. Besides people come and go all the time....There are several lessons I think they are showing by leaving children left in cars, leaving scene of accident and organ donation. I hope Adam is sought out for what he did also

Hmmm, why would you want an innocent man sought out? I guess you are an Adam hater. ugh! He did not know he hit her so he did not commit a crime by leaving. However, he needs to go tell his story before he ends up in jail for not coming forward.

Why is everyone wanting adam to fall for this he never even seen delia it was a tragic accident that could have happend to anyone who left their child in the car with a dog no less , but none of your are blaming billy who is the one who not only left his child alone at night in the car but bought the dog that she ended up letting out and ultimately resulting in her death

I agree, Cheryl. Who would leave a small child in a car alone at night, and no less with a dog that's been peeing all evening. You knew he was going to have to go as soon as Billy got out the car. he was trying to go before Billy left the car. Don't hang this on Adam. It's a dream, bring delia back.. no harm no foul.

I agree 100%. Also, I am tired of Adam always getting sc---d. I have watched the this soap from the time it started but if Adam get's blamed for this I will not watch anymore. I can't stand Victor or Nikki anymore. There is such a thing as TOO MUCH DRAMA.

Agree with everything. I'll just add how much they've completely ruined Sharon for plot points. Every other character can move on or not be held accountable for their actions but Sharon is isolated and trashed.

They have cut off the legs for the future of the show. Normally they have a bunch of kids to rapidly age, but now they are killing them off while still babies. In 5 years, they are going to have exactly 3 teenagers, Faith, Johnny, and Connor. All Newmans, no Abbott babies. Who is going to date who? No new generation. Nikki and Victor won't live forever. Oh silly me, if you live past 10, you have it made on this show.

I do not like the current story line. They could have recast Delia...That was uncalled for...to many deaths and to many unnessary characters on the show that has no purpose. Adam did not need to do be blamed for the death either. I think I could have written a better storyline.

Killing off Delia was disturbing..& I would like to why Sharon has became the worst character on y&r i used to love her & nick together i think the writers made her lose he mind and& Billy deserves & EMMY!

After the delia death i am so done with this show sorry to say they have let the show down and so sad yet more hurt for the abbott family and there is no happiness with this show anymore there s enough sadness in the real world to have it on a daily show i watch for entertainment not more sadness at this point watching the daily news would be better.

I remember really liking Neil Winters back when he was mostly seen working at NE and friends with Ryan. Drusilla and Olivia were great assets for his character and of course the original Malcolm. These characters interacted with he rest of the canvas. Olivia as a Doctor and Dru and Malcolm had scenes with half the cast that included storylines. I original liked Leslie and thought making her a bigger deal would be good but under this regime she lost her edge. What I thought was a powerful lawyer couldn't even figure out Hillary or even get suspicious and in a much bigger deal figure out her father was a innocent man. The once powerful lawyer Avery who never lost a case suddenly chooses to team up with Leslie who has no intuition for the guilty or innocent parties. Now we go back to Wheeler's Red head daughter who died when partying with Jack Abbott and her Father resenting how her body was disposed of like garbage. Now if I was Anne Wheeler the mother of the girl Adam so kindly dumped in a ditch I might come to town to seek some revenge. Leslie Stevens should of been casted as Anne Wheeler with an alias seeking revenge on Jack, Adam for her daughter Stephanie and Victor for her husband in Jail. Perhaps the false Rape story would of worked if Melanie Daniels was Stephanie's sister with a bigger motive while her mother Anne focussed on Jack and perhaps have been the cause of Phyllis in a Coma. Instead of taking Jack an Addict who got hammered with a Red Head who died and he couldn't remember what happened and having a Mother or Sister or both seek revenge they reinvented the scenario by having Neil an addict who got hammered with a Red Head who died and he couldn't remember what happened and gave her a daughter Anne Turner who 6 years later decides to seek revenge on his whole family. Not even a full year in and this regime already started Deja Vu with their own material as if the Blogger storyline was original going For Anne Wheeler until someone said give it to the Winters and we get Anne Turner with a dragged out for months of Rose talk hoping we'd forget all about Stephanie when the Rose flashbacks began. When Billy teamed up with Melanie I was afraid with him relapsing that he to would wake up with a dead Red Head. Now what could of been a great Who Killed Carmine Story with more members of the canvas involved has become laughable. Carmine was working for Billy and coaxing him to gamble and offering him drinks could easily have been revealed as the one working for Victor and since the man had no reason to be loyal to Victor could of been willing to tell on Victor giving motive to others than just the Baldwin's. it's like someone sets things in motion for a great story but than someone higher up steps in alters it all and destroys it. When Carmine filled the plac with gas and Lauren pulls out the gun she had since Sheila, you know the one that was taken away when she pulled it on Daisy thus the reason she bought a unregistered one which she gave Paul who used it to shoot Ricky, well I'm no scientist but I for one would not want to shoot a gun in a room filled with gas, just saying. I was all for Nikki having a son, something I wished had occurred prior and I'm not Anti Dylan but I was happy with Nick vs. Dylan as is and all this does now is create Nick vs. yet another brother over yet another blond that Nikki gets to hate has destroyed all interest for me and I rather Nikki not have a son. I would of liked it to be Stitch because that would allows new stories to unfold that are fresh where as all this does is force out recycled unoriginal stuff with different characters. The first half of the year was horrendous and I came close to tuning out the second half not perfect but has improved from the first half of the year.

The show's title needs changed to the Old and the Rehash. I thought the writers were off their coffee and cigarettes when Victor got a heart transplant from Coleen. Even though it's a tv drama it has to have some ring of believability.

This was a terrible storyline! They could have had some unknown baby somewhere in the USA die and Newman had to use his money to get help for her son! Having little children in the story makes life in Genoa city more believable! And - - when is Phyllis going to wake up!!!! Come on - I think that character is worth saving. The original Phyllis was terrific but they should hire another actress to take her place. Sharon - please make her go away - too much mental - which then becomes so unbelievable. I think I won't watch until this saga is gone!

I have followed Y&R since the first day it was on CBS. In the beginning there was a rich side of town and a poor side. Kate running the wealth and Jills family fatherless with Snapper her brother the doctor supporting the show. I must says the writer have dublicated many time over the story lines over 40 years. I can watch it once a year and catch up in a glance. There was no reason to kill of that child.

Roger, I couldn't agree with you more. Just like with ATWT, I am only still watching because of the actors and their terrific performances. The writing has been all over the place the last year and a half (or longer) since the head honchos are moved in and out, which means that stories change direction, are dropped, etc. Lately the writing has been very lazy and just plain bad. The writers don't even seem to know how to weave twists or surprises into the storyline, except by omission (like we were never shown Paul being told the name of Nikki's son, Paul telling Nikki who her son is, etc.....because if they did, the surprise would have been spoiled. Plus they are breaking the #1 rule of soap writing: you MUST show the action or conversation!). The day or the one after that Connor's parents are told that he must have a transplant, it is obvious who will be the donor! No build up, no angst.....just viewers trying to duck all the anvils falling fast and furiously. The Michael/Lauren SL about her affair was hastily set up and stupidly written (why didn't she ever block him on her phone?), and this latest chapter for them has my eyes rolling. I love these characters and if it weren't for the actors, it would be laughable! Has Summer left town? Do we care? They should have left her as the child she was a little over a year ago instead of SORAS'ing her to 18 because that SL has fallen flat. I could go on and on....thanks for the opportunity to vent!

I stopped watching when they put Adam/Chelsea, Nick/Sharon, Dylan/Avery back together. I really enjoyed Chelsea/Dylan, Nick/Avery and Adam/Sharon pairing because it was something new and different! We are back to the same old, same old crap!

Not much left to say since I think that your article and the rest of the commenters summed it all up really well! I have loved this show for 25 years now and have always enjoyed sharing it, and the other CBS soaps with my mom. I don't know what they are doing, but I hope that Y&R survives this and we get the type of writers we need!

Cane and Lily Ashby played by the awesome Daniel Goddard and Christel Kahlil is the only thing that keep me watching this show. Their pairing is natural and organic I do not like forced pairings they never work and can never hold my attention long enough to care about them.

If Adam takes the fall for killing Delia then I'm not watching Y&R any longer. Same ol, same ol, make Adam the bad guy. The entire storyline is sad and depressing. Why kill off a kid? And who cares about Hilary, Neil, etc. And are we to believe that Drucilla died 6 years ago!! Neil's been married to Karen and Sophia and is now involved with Leslie...in 6 years since his wife's death! While I used to look forward to watching Y&R after work, I now fast forward through 2/3 of it. After the dead Delia story line I will no longer record the show.

Great article.. You have summed up all that is wrong with this soap. This soap has lost its way. The new generation of Newmans and Abbots should be front and center. Noah Newman should be leading the story and yet he is barely shown.. What a disaster this show has become. This is one of the reasons soaps have lost their viewers horrible stories ..

I have watched Y&R from the first day it aired and the viewers have said it all! Repeats, The Wealthy vs The Poor, killing off characters; example: so they can save Victor a beloved character that should have died in the first place for all the sins he has committed on others, but the worst though is children (who are babies) growing up in a two year period. This makes the Adults (who are the same age as they were) old. Victor and Nikki should be in their late 60's-80's with grandkids in their mid 20's. Adam and Victor are two of the most hated characters on Y&R and yet they never pay for their sins. Then there is Sharon, what happened to her? A few months with Adam and she has become like him-cold and no heart. Bring back the Sharon we all loved! If the writers don't get it together, this like all the other soaps will be off the air. Don't KILL of Children that is #1 NO-No!!!!

Killing of another Abbott so that a Newman can live or live comfortably is just stupid. It is disgusting to kill a child, but even more disgusting to do it after the great Katherine Chancelor has just died. This show should be called the dark, dreary and depressing. My beautiful Sharon is stuck in mental illness hell, with no friends or family in sight. Nicki has MS but is trying to find her lost child, Carmine has been murdered and no one has noticed, Michael is in jail for killing him, Dylan is suffering from PTSD and got screwed over by a chick that no one is holding accountable, baby Conner needs new corneas, and Adam or someone just hit and killed an Abbot child. Who wants to watch this depressing stuff? Not I! Where are the couples in love, the couples fighting to be together against all odds. Where is the chemistry, all the couples seem forced and the writers don't care, they just want us to keep on tuning in. I have watched Y&R for over 25 years and it has never been this bad. It is sad, but maybe it is getting close to the end.

ITA with most of what you say! Thank you for pointing out that they could have utilized Carmine a lot better. That whole thing made no sense. Michael was never the bad guy for picking up Fen when he was accused of pushing Jamie. He was doing his job. Lauren flew off the handle instead of letting the process work. Besides Fen really needed help. However, once Lauren had the affair a more interesting course would have been for her to leave Michael and move in with Carmine thus given the town a lot to scoff at and be outraged over. Next step could have been Carmine losing interesting in Lauren who he began to be seen as smothering. Next he would stray an Lauren would be left alone. It was ludicrous to portray that a young hot guy like Carmine would be THAT obsessed with Lauren. Lauren was just like a thousand other old cougars out there. He could have found a new love interest easily.

You are so right that everything is event driven and they aren't finishing stories to any satisfying end. Everything seems to be sputtering and pointless. It's as if they think viewers are stupid and can only see what's in front of them and can't connect dots.

Case in point, First Jack Abbot told Adam to change the cycle and just forget about Newman and Victor. He told him, wisely, that he should focus on Chelsea and the baby instead. Adam agreed and signed away his Newman interests. Then two days later Jack came rushing in to the penthouse telling Adam that Victor was gloating and they should hit him hard now and crush him! That would make it seem Jack had no memory of his sage advice from 2 days before. It made me shake my head and wonder if they can ever move beyond square one or must they just repeat the same dialog every day? Maybe the writers were just concocting a reason for Jack to be in the penthouse when Chelsea came to give the news about Delia. OK but why not invent a reason that made logical sense? Why not have Jack just come over to check on Adam and bring a present for the baby?

As I see it Y&R has fallen into the soap killing trap of just propping up favorite characters to be the ones who are considered holier than thou (Nick, Dylan) and these characters just putter around and never do much so that way they can't be criticized. These characters never have ambition and they deride others who work for a living like Victor. What TPTB fail to see is this makes them very very boring characters.

Why would Nick, a millionaire, suddenly decide in his 40's that running a bar was his life long dream? AND he left Newman in order to focus on his kids, but how would running a bar allow him to see more of Faith? Well don't worry because now that the newness of the bar wore off Nick never goes to work and he spends all his time in his tiny living room waiting for Sharon to make his dinner. And this is supposed to be our soap's heart throb? I would prefer Carmine !

For that matter, I think Alex is gorgeous but they do nothing with him. He's left to just be Kevin's sidekick. Why?

Let's mention the Sharon storyline! Ridiculous and, frankly, insulting! Bipolar is a serious but mostly treatable disorder that throughout the years has taken full-on hits in real life and drama. Sharon has done horrendous thing and it's blamed on bipolar! Now we have yet another tampering with DNA tests (remembering, of course, Phyllis). They make it look so easy! But then there's marrying her father-in-law, destroying an international conglomerate, burning down the house, etc. Now, as wonderful as it is to see Cassie back, she has become the evil side of Sharon. That is not bi-polar, it is more schizophrenic! Clean it up! Bi-polars may be intelligent, articulate and truly good people handling a disorder. But too many people already buy into the serial killer excuse. Y&R is only fostering that negative perception through the Sharon Newman storyline. Change the diagnosis or be more realistic about the traits, because what they are doing now is ignorant and a pure insult.

I completely agree with everything you said. In fact I have been blogging, tweeting and facebooking about how disgusted I am that they killed off yet another child on Y&R for her body parts. I chalk it up to lazy writers with no imagination, and producers, directors and an owner (Sony) who just have no pride in the work they put out. Its really a shame because the actors are doing brilliant work - wouldn't it be nice if they got brilliant stories and writing to portray.

This soap opera is nothing at all the soap opera I fell in love with years ago. What once was full of love and laughter with a little twist here and there, is now full of darkness, dampness and hate. I miss watching couples loving being in love. Now it's all about everyone turning against eachother. No one is helping Sharon. But then again, Sharon burned down an entire ranch, brought down an empire, caused Phyllis' coma, easily switched a paternity result inside a hospital and had marred Cassies memory to viewers. And there she sits. All cozy, wanting for nothing. Nothing except Nick. Having no consequences. And then there is Adam. The show has done an amazing job with his character. We have got to watch Adam grow up and mature. We can actually see his warm and fuzzy side. Even though Victor and the rest of his intimidated family keeps pushing him away, he has stood up to be the better person. Y&R has a choice. Either once again make Adam the evil villain, or somehow make this all turn out to head in a different direction and allow Adam happiness. Every storyline in this soap is either full of dread, or is simply boring. We need for this soap to be full of people loving eachother again, and laughing and being happy. Not all this darkness and sorrow and hate. We have to live all that crap everyday here in the real world. Bring Y&R back to LIFE again!

This show is now in the toilet thanks to the wonderful JFP. Myself along with many others are all too familiar with her and her bad shows that she has ruined. I am also done with Y&R. Stupidest soap of all of them and I hope like crazy the ratings reflect her damage. Bye bye Y&R. You stink.

I am done watching Y&R. I am so tired of them kicking Billy DOWN!!!! I Love Billy and Victoria together, but they cannot be happy for 5 minutes before the writers are destroying BILLY!!!! I am so over SHARON and her psychosis. It was VERY VERY STUPID to KILL OFF DELIA. I am DONE with Y& R and so is my group....

These soaps (and the executives who run them) themselves are to blame for their current state. And let's face it, even the most intriguing network soap right now is really only a shadow of its former self (yes, I said it LOL).

When these soaps had the Bill Bell Sr.s, the Agnes Nixons, the Douglas Marlands and the Harding Lemay's the networks should have insisted that some viable, structured writing apprenticeship programs be established.Then the network soaps from Another World, As the World Turns, Days of Our Lives, Guiding Light, GH, right on down to Y&R could have established links with Writing Programs, both academic and non-academic nationwide to get the most promising writers and have them apprentice to the most heralded daytime writers on the Planet! Ever wonder why Sesame Street has managed to remain so relevant decades later? It's because the Children's Television Workshop has a rigorous apprenticeship program. No, it's not perfect, it could be better but it has helped CTW attract and keep a steady pipeline of talent dedicated to preserving Sesame Street and its ideals while keeping the show fresh for every subsequent generation.CBS, NBC and ABC Daytime could learn a lot from Sesame Street!

I have discussed on another board, what I thought was the essential problem with Y&R and it is definitely the writing. I agree wholeheartedly with the complaint that the stories are directionless and go nowhere--either they go nowhere slowly or they go nowhere fast.

Y&R also likes to rely on the old Soap Opera Tropes from the 1980s and 90s (and sometimes decades prior to) which has now become tired, predictable and even stereotypical.The Lauren and Carmine storyline began with heat and fizzled when they decided to fall back on the old Lauren as victim standby story. Such basic, lazy and cowardly writing. Y&R were obviously afraid to 'go there'. Y&R, specifically, seems particularly afraid to truly take chances with edgy content. Having Sharon sleep with every male Newman that she didn't give birth to is not my idea of edgy--it seems to have been borrowed from a B&B/Brooke Logan storyline from the 90s. And Brooke and Sharon, besides both being blondes from working class roots, should have had nothing in common, since Brooke was a vixen from the beginning, whereas Sharon was meant to be a heroine.Someone needs to just go back to the basics of properly written stories that have beginning, middle and end, with rising complications and the occasional reversal inserted. It's not rocket science but it is hard work and requires creative thinking.

No offense to Y&R's current and previous writing staffs but for the past 4 years or so, Y&R's writing seems like it is more akin to 'painting by numbers' but writing-wise. Only with worse results.

What happened with the recent storyline where Victoria was getting mysterious calls from Reed's dad that there was some problem and he needed Reed to come stay with her for a while? This was a few months back --- maybe two. It was mentioned a few times and then nothing... were the writers trying something out then couldn't decide what to do next?

Hate what Jill Farren Phelps has done to this once great show. Shame on Sony and CBS for bringing her to the number one soap only to have her butcher it. Today was the final straw. I won't watch a soap that kills a child so dismissively the way Y&R did Delia. Good riddance, Y&R. The only way you'll get me back as a viewer is to put the Bell family back in change, bring Kay Alden in as head writer and Ed Scott as producer, and send the GH crowd back to wherever (JPF, Shelley Altman and definitely Steve Burton -- what a ywan he is)!

I hate what YNR has done this past year. I am sick of Sharon, getting away with everything. I do not like the fact that they have ran the Hilary and Neil situation forever. Now, killing Delia off so Connor can have the corneas he needs, and Adam sits back and says nothing!! Who shot Carmine? How long will it take to find that out. It has not been the same since William Bell left. I don't think I can continue to watch it.

Thank you for publishing these comments. I emailed to Y & R last week already. So many things are just not at all what they should be now. I had high hopes for things to improve, instead they are much worse. What they have done to Sharon is inexcusable. And, now to kill another Abbott young girl. So tragic what is happening. Bad producing and bad writing lead to the demise of Guiding Light and As The World Turns--two of my favorites. I just hope Y & R wakes up soon.

Thank you for your opinion on the Y&R. You are so right, but I do believe that this time they have gone too far with killing of little Delia. They have turned our beloved soap into a morbid and depressing soap opera. There is nothing entertaining or enjoyable about causing major tragedy and sadness. We can see all this on our everyday news reports. What we want to see is a daytime soap that is full of every day life in Genoa City.....the ups and downs of the different families, but not constant death, illness, accidents. This is carrying things too far. We, the viewers, are looking for wholesome, daytime entertainment....not Doom and Gloom, where we sit there crying our eyes out every day and sharing in the suffering of losing a child. This is sadism and no soap opera should reflect so much pain and suffering. I believe that the writers, producers......all the big shots behind the scenes that dictate how the soap will play out, needs a rude awakening. They need to write good content, no....great content, for the Y&R. Bring back the good writers already!!!! And, for heaven's sake, BRING BACK DELIA. Turn this nightmare into a horribly bad dream of Billy's before it's too late. You need to FIX THINGS now!!!! Thank God for our wonderful actors. They are doing an amazing job with the crappy scripts they are handed. We don't fault them.....they are just doing their job! The writers better "get off their high horses" and straighten this whole mess up immediately before the ratings drop so low that we will have to say goodbye to our beloved The Young And The Restless forever!!!!!!!!

DELIA how bout the poor lil dog. Does anyone remember Adam put drops in his eyes to pretend he was going blind. His mother became blind not from her first few months old. Jack and Adam seem more related. I still think Jack could be Nick's father therefore explaining the confusion about Summer's paternity. Delia ties the show more together than anyone else outside of Katherine. I understand Jill having to deal with Mrs. C's death on her own. It is insane for her to now deal with her own grandchild's death. Kevin's family can't be there for him because of Carmine's death. Nikki's miracle child would lead to now three sons fighting over the same three women ie Sharon, Chelsea and Avery. Victor would be proud. There has been no mention of more people being saved by this despicable tragic loss. Colleen's heart seems to have been wasted on the soul-less Victor.

I think it should be a dream also. We have so much bad in the world we watch this show to escape some of it. Delia was so cute, bring her back. Let someone be happy for a change. Fyi bring Phyllis back to life so Sharon can get what is coming to her.

I too have been watching Y&R since it began in mid 70s. (other than the B&B it is the only soap I have ever watched.) It was heart wrenching to watch these last few days with Delia's hit and run. And what made it worse was that the story came out of nowhere! (but that is what things like this are in real life sadly for so many parents) I have heard Delia is going to be on The Millers (she is such a great little actress, she will bring a lot of light to that show now - Y&R's loss, their gain I guess) I do wish there would have been a way to ease her out of the show more gently. The death of children strikes such a heartbreaking cord in anyone that has been a parent (and because a lot of moms watch these soaps it had to be unbearable as the majority probably put themselves into Billy, and especially Chloe's role) It seemed to me to be an overly extreme tactic that, although got people's attention, it broke people's heart in the worst way...and could have been written in any number of ways. It they were trying to make a 'statement' about leaving kids in cars then they should have ended the show at least with some sort of public service announcement about child safety. (B&B did several episodes on homelessness which I thought was very well done as they ended their show with information on the issue and info on how to help) At least Y& R could have put some sort of 'purpose' or motive as to why they wrote the story that way. If it wasn't done for that type of purpose, then it was all for ratings and if that was the case...it was just plain insensitive to the fans (in particular moms) that watch it faithfully. As for recasting Delia...I believe it was her real life personality that made her so endearing...another Delia might play the role but still may not bring the same sweetness this Delia brought into our homes. Happy she will be on another show. I will watch The Millers now. And I will still watch Y& R even though I cringe when I turn it on now. FYI, in my opinion Billy did a good job but I was actually more impressed with Chloe's performances.

Who ever thought to write this story line with Delia getting killed off has no business writing storylines. Why would you do this? I have gone back n forth with watching this show from the very beginning and it seems it just recycles itself. Colleen died and Victor received her heart and it is never mentioned to Victor when he constantly gets his way. I dont know why the character who plays Jack continues to allow this to happen come on not once is Jack allowed to win this is ridiculous. Now all of a suden Catherine leave Newman to Victor! yeah right. Killing this child off in my opinion is BAD. If you want to eliminate a boring story line ax Neal, and that whole episode it sucks. Sharon and her dead daughter returning crazy, and tell me how on earth did Paul make police chief when he was never cleared for killing his son? This new Abby sucks bring back the old one. It was a injustice to Catherine Chancelor how she was sent off sorry storyline where was Brock, Phillip ? lil Phillip really this person reall did die and this all you could come up with? Im done it sucks i will watch one of the talk shows instead. keep writing and keep loosing viewers and you will end of like the ABC soaps that went off the air who would have thought they would have taken off ALL MY CHILDREN so dont think it cant happent to the old and the boring (the new name)

I completely agree with you! I will watch the Doctors, talk shows, the news, old sitcom reruns, anything but this NONSENSE! You know I forgot about Ricky's story, the knife missing, Shelia's kids out there too and they made Carmine nuts for what! Deliah dying made me stop watching, I am on week one no YR, its freeing.

I tell ya, this story line with Delia has been hard to watch. While I'm watching, I'm wondering why...and different scenarios of the actress Sophie Pollono (Delia Abbot). So, here is what I came up with. It could be that the actress is starting school, the parents don't want to juggle...or she is being cast in a movie, and the going between sets are too much...I'm certain it wasn't her abilities, because she does wonderful for her age!! :) (unlike the actress who played teenage Summer BEFORE they cast Hunter Haley King). Anyways, So Y&R has always done story lines that are designed to give the viewers a sense of reality. Stuff that happens to you and me on a daily basis, and then they focus on the hard stuff some people in real life experience. So this writing about Delia is real to some people. Hit and Runs seem to be going on throughout the Nation daily these days, and we don't get to see what those families face. This brings that to light. I have watched this show for over 30 years, and not very many episodes bring me to tears, I have cried all week watching. What a powerful performance both by Billy Miller and Elizabeth Hendrickson. ( Billy and Chloe) WOW!! They really delivered the personal effects that a parent would go through losing a child in such a tragic way, and bringing attention the devastation hit and runs bring to families. I personally think the writers did a great job to bring that story line to light, and let Delia go out with an incredible memorable exit. As she grows in her career, we are all going to remember her as the actress who played Delia Abbott. The story line I get so tired of watching, is Sharon and Cassie...really? It's one thing to "feel" your lost ones presence, but entirely different to talk and take advice from them on a daily basis!! and you all get that Cassie can never have a costume change, right?

If Jill F. Phelps doesn't get fired over this decision we are in for trouble. There is NO FAN OF THIS SHOW who approves of this move! I'll bet Billy Miller and Amelia Heinl are DISGUSTED! This child had ROOTS. ONLY child of Chloe, ONLY Daugher of Billy, ONLY Grandchild of Ester, ONLY Grand daughter of Jill...3rd Generation of the Abbots....She was JUST named in Catherine's will to have a significant education fund--one of the few kids on the show to GO TO COLLEGE someday!?!?!! HOW DARE THEY kill a child in a Halloween costume weeks before the holiday. JFP and the new writers aree going to destroy the family structures so badly and it looks like CBS/SONY doesn't care or notice. Probably the entire GOAL is to ruin the ratings so they can legitimately cancel and blame on US. WOULD LOVE for someone to interview the PRESIDENT of CBS/SONY and show them the Fans have had ENOUGH of JFP! My 40 years of loyalty to this network from 12:30 - 2:00 ET should be worth SOMETHING to his advertising department! Hire Me for the EP job--Hire SOMEONE who has a Lifelong investment in the characters! Promote Eric Braeden for goodness sake and let him take over at CBS Daytime. Or give Lauralee Bell a shot at her late Father's chair. They would know a hell of a lot more about how to make Y&R successful than JFP EVER WILL!

I hope she is FIRED, I am done after 30 years of viewing. They don't care how we feel obviously, people wanted Sharon to be healthy again and she is still off her meds and nuts. This was bad timing to kill off a little beloved girl and have ADAM do it??? Really, Adam again? Its too hard to believe we would have this storyline shoved down our throats and be expected to want to watch the aftermath with these characters. I am telling you all if you watched the show as long as I have, you wouldnt want to see this. We needed love, positive storys for a change, people getting along, everything has been doom and gloom and stupidity!!!! If you think about it, all these stories are moving way too fast, relationships keep ending and we are expected to believe this! I agree, Lauralee Bell would have a better shot at this, get rid of JFP!!!!

We watch everyday and were terribly disappointed when you killed off Delia. We discuss the show with other friends that watch & we are all horrified by this act. One friend said " if they are going to start killing off kids I don't know if I can continue to watch." I said that there had to be a reason like something happened to her, so I went franticly searching the website for the answer only to be disappointed. Hope it doesn't' t ruin things for the show.

Killing Delia was such a senseless, short-term desperate ploy for ratings. This little girl and her scenes were such an enjoyable breath of fresh air in a show that has become increasingly depressing. I have watched since day one and forgiven many mis-guided moves and poor writing. However, this storyline goes too far. It is gut wrenching and senseless, especially to parents (viewers) that have lost a child. I really don't enjoy watching this show any more. It's all doom and gloom and hate now. I've had enough. The only thing saving this show is the amazing acting skills of the show veterans because the writers seem determined to sink it.

This s/l was a plot point to push Billy and Adam, no more no less. The writing, pacing, is pathetic. Those characters that should be spotlighted are not (and yes, Billy should be front and center). TPTB used 'shock & awe' to get eyeballs on the show and hints of "things to come" to keep folks watching. This s/l is a pathetic mish mash and could have been so much more. Sad a child had to be sacrificed to promote TPTB favs.

I was stunned that they actually killed Delia. I liked her ever since she was a baby. It's incredibly sad and I don't know yet the reason for it -- though I, too, think there will be some connection with Connor's corneas. (Thinking of donor transplants, why not bring Traci back?) But back to the main point, yes, it is really painful to watch the death of a child, and their parents grieving her loss. To all the strident objections and avowals never to watch the show again, I have two things to say: 1) You do realize it is a soap opera, right? Whose definition might as well be "Bad things will happen to everyone on the show sooner or later." 2) This might seem contradictory, but at the same time they are being faithful to real life. Children do get killed in real life, and it isn't happy or pretty but in fact painful. And I think it's important and valuable that they're being true to that.

While it is a soap opera, which means that when faced with a choice, the writers will choose the most dramatic option. Always. So unhappy though it is, I'm willing to see where the writers are going to take this. And if we must have Delia killed, then let's see how they handle it. I'm a couple episodes behind, but so far, after that shlocky mess that was Billy daydreaming by Delia's body, it's been spot on. Hard to watch, yes, but Chloe's grief, Billy's stunned self-blame, Chelsea's sympathy, Kevin's efforts to comfort -- all of it has been really on the mark. And I think it's important that we see death and grieving sometimes. When my sister was in ICU and after she died, I was really pissed off (among other things) that nobody seemed to have shown me what that's like, to lose a family member. I thought, what a bunch of lies we as a culture tell, acting like it isn't painful, pretending like it isn't like having a part of you ripped away. Now here they are, showing it, describing it, giving it to us in full. Painful as it is to watch, I am grateful.

JFP is absolutely destroying this show, perhaps intentionally, that is her reputation anyhow, as the Killer of Soaps. I've watched since the beginning and now only skim through to see if a miracle occurred and if it is worth my time.

It wasn't just the horror of the Delia storyline - having Actually lost my own daughter two years ago - but the way it was done and a repeat of the Colleen story.

So many good characters are on the backburner - some brought to the forefront with the same old stories they've done before (Lauren - more than once) and some dragged out with lots of filler but not substance and certainly not believable.

I wonder how many actors on Y & R are ashamed to be a part of the train wreck it has become and how many are counting the days until their contract is up!

Creativity is at an all time low. There's SO much potential without rehashing the same old tired song and dance - especially involving killing children.

They've lost me at this point. I'll keep reading here and when I hear that JFP is no longer running the show and some real direction and literary talent in in place, I'll return.

I was shocked when Delia died but the performances since have left me in tears. I do agree that Y & R moves to quickly through storylines. There was a time I use to say you could miss the show for a year and still catch up on what's happened. Now they miss every chance to really develope and craft a real story. I'm also sick of Victor always having the upper hand. It's time he ate some humble pie. What kind of example is it to women when they show tv women clinging to heartless men like Victor.

PLEASE LET THE OTHER DRIVER, "FESS" UP, SO ADAM WILL NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS TOURTURE FOR NOTHING. IF THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A DREAM, THEN CONNOR CAN GET THE IMPLANTS LEGIT. I KNOW I SO A STONED FACED WOMAN IN ANOTHER CAR. I THOUGHT THEIR WAS GOING TO BE A HEAD-ON COLLISION!

I have watched Y&R since the beginning. I cannot stand to watch this show now and be depressed everyday. The death of a child would depress these people for years and years. Even though I cannot stand to watch their depression day after day right now it will be even more horrendous to watch them giggle and get on with their petty little story lines in a few weeks after this death.

When the doctor came out to tell Billy the bad news all we saw was the doctor's lips moving but we never actually heard the words that she was dead. Please--- now show that Billy passed out at what he THOUGHT he heard and that this has been a nightmare sequence. I cannot watch this depressing story line any longer. I have enough of this in my real life and Y&R was my one escape during the day. I will not watch any longer at least not for awhile. This is too too depressing. They have lost a very long time follower. I am in my 60s and I was there for the very first episode.

I agree, I can't believe they kill off that little girl.....I have been watching this show for 40+years and nothing really surprises anymore until now, I thought there is no way they are going to do that and they did, I hope it was dream and she will be back on the show....I love Adam Newman and if they accuse him of this and he goes to prison I won't watching anymore, They need to get rid of Sharon and Devon and bring back DEHLIA!!!

there was another blonde woman driving very fast don't let it be Adam he has nowjust finding his son and he has done some bad things but now he is trying to be a good person that is a crazy story line and another thing why would Katherine will her company of all the people bully controlling Victor what about Brock/Tucker would even rather see Gill get than Victor now he has more power and would like to get that smerk off his face he should be the one who hit DeliaVictor Boy

I have been watching Y&R since the beginning. I am not happy with the way things are going now. Delia's death is just awful, stupid. I'm really tired of Sharon's antics.....the writers must have a grudge against her character. Adam is one of the most interesting but flawed characters on this show. Victor is always wonderful and true to character. Nikki is still good although why she and Victor can't ever be happy is sad, I know they are building up to another breakup over her son (Dylan) who she gave up years ago. Victor will go into another one of his rants and she will puff up and cry and off we go to another breakup! I understand why Katherine left all that money to Devon, it was out of guilt, and rightly so. Get rid of the girl whose mother died with Neil and her boyfriend. Jack is always good,solid acting. Genoa City is as incestuous as ever, don't any other folks every interact with the principal players?

I must add that even though I really hate the death of Delia, the acting is superb. Chloe and Billy are both just wonderful. Adam is tormented as usual. Victoria is good trying to help but feeling helpless. I thought Esther's reaction was odd and she didn't really show enough emotion,(writers' fault). Kevin is good and believable trying to comfort Chloe.

I started watching two soaps this year for the first time, Y&R and Days. I find them pretty interesting, now that everyone says that the Y&R was much better in the past, I suggest that they should repeat the show from the earlier days. What got me interested is Victor and I wanted to see only his story line. And I strongly disagree with those comments that Victor should disappear. The majority of TV have young people as major characters, as if older people are so unimportant. There is enough drama in this opera with young people (Summer and Kyle) etc.that I like very much, but I also like the Victor-Adam story and their machinations. I did not like too much crying and mourning of the Katherine Chancellor, it was too much and boring. The Winters-Hillary-Rose story is the most boring. Devon should go to Europe or somewhere. I like Adam-Chelsey, Nick-Avery, Dylan-Sharon pairing. By the way, both Sharon and Dylan have mental problems and will complement each other.

JFP has DESTROYED the show! She went through so many recast out the gate- Abby, was my FAVORITE on there until they recast with a "friend of Jill", and then she is shoving Dylan, who we could care less about, down our throats, instead of following the Y&R/Bell formula and bringing a new character into things slowly and building a base, she gave him a main story out the gate- with all of the recast and new characters Y&R is hard to recognize. That was that thing about the show, was that they never recast and kept the new people low, so that anyone who had not watched in a while could come back and pick up where they left off, knowing who was who- and with so many new sets and the old ones burned down or not used, we don't know who is where anymore! The stories that they have told in just a short period could have gone on for months but were over in a blink- and the stories that are CRAP, are still dragging out. The Hilary story is pointless and stupid, the Carmine thing, while giving Lauren screen time is terrible and pointless. We can only hope that they use the death of Delia, like they did Cassie, which is still going on to this day, and the death of Philip Chancelor II which the story generated from for 40 years. But they handled Katherine's death in such a short manner it was disrespectful- that had potential to go on for another 40 years, instead of a few short episode. While Maria Bell wasn't the best, she at least knew how to spin a story and combine multiple story lines into one big blow up involving everyone. Like the whole Adam baby stealing story, Patty/Emily and Sarah Smythe story and how they all in the end came together. They went on, building for a long time, and then came together- Adam gets caught, and he figures out who Patty really is, and used her to get to the GCAC where he blew it up with everyone in town inside, allowing him to fake his death and then, allowing Sarah to get Lauren, and Patty's secret was safe until Sarah/Lauren figured her out and used that against her to help kill Michael. And still after Sarah was gone the Emily/Patty story just kept going, and thanks to the amazing actress playing the roles, she turned what was insanity into a grand performance, feeling both hatred and pain for her. That is how you tell a story, over time with fallout that just keeps on giving and giving- instead of killing off this child for NO REASON other than dramatic effect and we know that there will be no lasting story to go off of. While the death of Cassie was terrible, we are at least still seeing the effects that had on everyone. The death of Katherine was a time to focus on the core characters, instead there was too much facetime with Dylan the pointless character and now we are headed down the path that they have to make him Nikki's son!?!?! Just to justify keeping him around and new Abbey is terrible, give us back Marcy that was the role she was born to play! Avery, who I had fallen in love with, and was enjoying seeing her with Nick, she was great with him went from strong woman to victim thanks to the terrible writing. Sharon was a great match with Dylan, that would have been a role I would have loved to see him playing- they were both damaged and outcast, and would have been a wonderful power couple- getting her away from Nick, and giving her love with a non-Newman

I think that the Delia's death will serve a lesson for many parents-do not leave your child in a car unattended. And it gave some excitement to the show. As to the problem that another Abbot child is dead, Billi and Victoria should conceive a new Abbot baby. I am wondering how the paternity plays out. As it's unlikely that Sharon confesses, somebody can suggest to Nick to repeat the test as there can be an innocent mistake and Jack can take a similar test.Another possibility: some Abbot needs a blood transfusion and doctors look for a suitable donor and Summer learns that she is not related to Abbots. Also, if Phylis wakes up, she reveals the truth. But then Sharon will never find herself a decent man.

I loved little "DD" she was precious. I also loved Billy and Chloe with her, they were great together. I also loved the fact that Kevin and Victoria loved her unconditionally. EVERYONE loved her! I also love Adam and Chelsea. Please let Nicki be the cause of DD's death, not Adam. I can not stand the Michael, Lauren, Fen storyline. Fen is creepy looking and a big BRAT. Let the whole family go to jail for the death of Carmine.Also, bring the real Phyllis back. She was beautiful and great. I loved her attitude!!

Example of writers' lack of knowledge of history....Chloe lashed out at Victoria, saying she wouldn't know what it's like to lose a child. Vic had a child with Neil who was stillborn. And then Daisy's child was ripped away from V & B. So there goes Chloe shooting off her mouth without thinking, at best. BTW, does anyone else think V is more upset about D's death than Chloe??? OK, everyone grieves differently, but still.

Totally unnecessary to kill off Delia. Could they not have sent her off to boarding school or something to get rid of her character and from time to time bring her back?

Please change this story to Billy's nightmare. Pretend he fell asleep at the play or something. Totally unnecessary to kill her off. How come there was not as much drama when Katherine Chancellor actually died?

Horrible way to get rid of a character. Also we are all sick of Adam being the bad guy. He is a fine actor and please show the good side of him for a change.

This is my first post. I felt that so many viewers are voicing what all of us are feeling. I have been a Y & R fan since the beginning. There is hardly an episode that I have missed. Having such a horrible accident happen to Delia has made this mom & grandmother become extremely upset. We know this is a storyline, but watching a show should provide entertainment & not anguish. This storyline needs to end as a nightmare that Billy has since he had been an absent father for most of Delia's life. This, also, serves as a warning to other parents/grandparents to constantly watch our children & keep them out of dangerous situations. Please end this storyline with some relief for your fans while teaching how precious all our children are to us.

This is my first ever post and.... my daughter passed 10 years ago and I can NOT watch any parent grieve over the loss of their child without tearing up and reliving those emotions so well acted out by these actors. I'm done with Y & R until this story line plays out. It's just too painful. See you in 2014 hopefully.

Roger I have to say I agree completely with this article. You made a lot of points and voiced a lot of opinions I have had over time. I stopped watching Y&R for these reasons. as good as the actors are, Love Billy, Peter, Greg, Melody, and Christian just to name a few, the stories have become senseless and unwatchable at times. I can't bring myself to watch Delia's death. It's heartbreaking and sad, though I'm sure Billy and Elizabeth will be emmy contenders next year, there wasn't a point to it. I hope as 2014 rolls around Y&R will find it's way back to being the show it once was.

Also agree that the Abbott family needs to be replenished. Colleen and Now Delia were sacrificed to save Newmans. maybe Y&R should take a page from GH's playbook,; respect the history of the stories they are telling and learn something from them. I mean Maxie and the heart transplant, happened almost twenty years ago now, but Maxie remembers and references it and so do we the audience. Liz and Carly tolerate each other due to Jake saving Josslyn's life. History, family, richness in storytelling Let Y&R get back to that.

I am so happy to see someone put in print what I have been thinking for a very long time. I stopped watching about 3 months ago because it was becoming so pathetic. I'm am a watcher since the soap began, but no more. Everything you wrote is right on the money, in my opinion.